Pain

Question 1

Visceral pain

Answer 1

Originates from direct injury or stretching of larger interior organs. Described as dull, deep, squeezing, cramping pain. Poorly localised.

Question 1

Define somatic pain

Answer 1

Pain originates from injury to musculoskeletal tissue or skin. It can be deep or superficial, constant or intermittent

Question 2

Deep somatic
pain

Answer 2

originates in joints, tendons, bones and muscle. Described as aching. Well localised

Question 3

Acute
pain

Answer 3

short term (below 3 months). Serves a self-protective purpose, warning the individual of actual and potential tissue damage. Can be recurrent (e.g. migraine headache, menstrual cycle)

Question 4

chronic pain

Answer 4

Long-term (3 months or more). Originates from abnormal processing of pain fibres in peripheral or central sites. Often the source of the pain may be unknown (e.g. cancer pain, arthritis, lower back pain, fibromyalgia).

Question 5

Breakthrough pain

Answer 5

A transient spike in pain level that is moderate to severe in intensity